San Juan Unified School District board members unanimously accepted the notice of retirement of superintendent Glynn Thompson on Thursday during a closed-door meeting following a seven-month investigation that found evidence of intimidation and harassment by the school leader.

"For any employee to have been subjected to this treatment is rather appalling," said Lucinda Luttgen, school board treasurer.

Beginning in May 2013, an independent investigator conducted 96 interviews of 65 witnesses to make determinations in 52 allegations brought forth by a dozen complainants, according to the district.

The district said that the investigation sustained 15 of those allegations, including gender, marital status and marital discrimination. Those allegations also sustained allegations of interference and retaliation.

"I'm appalled," said Christine Ohlinger, one of the women who brought forth allegations against Thompson.

Ohlinger and Mary Ann Pivetti both gasped at the announcement made during a special school board meeting.

"I'm glad he's leaving. But, I'm frustrated. ... They had reason for termination and I think they needed to go forward with that," Pivetti said.

Both women took issue with the board's action because it allows Thompson to continue receiving his $225,000-a-year salary, as well as full retirement benefits when he leaves.

"Those of us who were forced to retire early have lost a lot of wages and he's still getting paid, while he's the one who's in the wrong," Ohlinger added.

Thompson's tenure will end next month. The board decided on accepting his retirement instead of removing him from the post.

"It would have been even more costly to move forward with the termination process," said Trent Allen, a spokesman for the district.